noun
Uncommon
squirrel
SKWIH-rl
Squirrel (noun) means a small rodent, often with a bushy tail, that typically lives in trees and eats nuts and seeds. Example: “A grey squirrel darted up the oak tree.”
noun
1
A small rodent, often with a bushy tail, that typically lives in trees and eats nuts and seeds.
"A grey squirrel darted up the oak tree."
"Squirrels bury nuts to eat later in the winter."
"Children laughed as a squirrel raced along the park fence with an acorn in its mouth."
verb
1
To store something away secretly for future use.
"She squirreled away a bit of cash every month."
"My grandfather squirrelled away old newspapers in the attic for years."
"Do you think he has squirrelled some biscuits away in his desk drawer?"
How to use squirrel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bushy-tailed tree-climbing rodent — or, as a verb, to stash something away for later.
Common pairings
squirrel away
squirrel nuts
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Word forms
- Plural
- squirrels
- Third person singular
- squirrels
- Past tense
- squirreled, squirrelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A grey _____ darted up the oak tree.
Etymology
From Old French escurel, ultimately from Ancient Greek skiouros, meaning "shadow-tail" — a nod to the animal's bushy tail.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “squirrel” mean?
The word “squirrel” means a small rodent, often with a bushy tail, that typically lives in trees and eats nuts and seeds. In plain terms, the bushy-tailed tree-climbing rodent — or, as a verb, to stash something away for later.
How do you pronounce “squirrel”?
“Squirrel” is pronounced SKWIH-rl (/ˈskwɝ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “squirrel” in a sentence?
Here is “squirrel” used in a sentence: “A grey squirrel darted up the oak tree.”
What part of speech is “squirrel”?
Depending on how it is used, “squirrel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squirrel” come from?
The word “squirrel” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French escurel, ultimately from Ancient Greek skiouros, meaning "shadow-tail" — a nod to the animal's bushy tail.
Is “squirrel” a common word?
“Squirrel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “squirrel” have?
“Squirrel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small rodent, often with a bushy tail, that typically lives in trees and eats nuts and seeds.
What does it mean to "squirrel away" something?
To "squirrel away" something means to store it secretly for future use, much like a squirrel hoards nuts before winter. It is commonly used for money, food, or other resources being saved discreetly. The phrase is informal and draws directly on the animal's natural behaviour.
Is "squirrel" ever used as a verb outside of "squirrel away"?
"Squirrel" is almost always used as a verb in the phrase "squirrel away," rather than standing alone with the same meaning. Outside this phrase, "squirrel" functions as a noun referring to the animal. The verb usage is an informal extension of the noun.
What kind of animal is a squirrel?
A squirrel is a small rodent, often with a bushy tail, that typically lives in trees and feeds on nuts and seeds. Squirrels are common in parks, gardens, and woodlands across many regions. Their tree-dwelling habits and food-storing behaviour have made them a familiar sight and a source of common idioms like "squirrel away."
